F1 Set to Launch New Streaming Service Soon

By Adam Tate, Associate Editor

Liberty Media’s most exciting change for Formula One, the new over-the-top streaming service set to debut soon has been dubbed F1 TV.

The announcement made today broadly outlines the two tiered program, its features and key markets for 2018.

The top program will be called F1 TV Pro, it will feature live, commercial free access to all races, qualifying and practice sessions. Including access to onboard cameras for all 20 drivers. It will also give viewers access to press conferences, support races, archival footage and other special features.

It will debut in four languages; English, French, German and Spanish in most major markets including the US, Mexico, Germany, France, Spain, and most of Latin America.

The service will be web based to start, but Liberty is working on mobile apps for Amazon, Android and Apple to debut later this year.

F1 TV Pro will cost between $8 and $12 per month depending on the market. A cheaper version known as F1 TV Access will feature non-live content including race highlights, archival footage, live timing and radio commentary will be available in most markets at the same time that the Pro version makes its debut.

F1 Director of Digital and New Business, Frank Arthofer made the announcement today.

“With the launch of F1 TV, we are beginning on the journey to build a cornerstone of our digital transformation,” said Arthofer.

“F1 TV subscription products are clearly and centrally aimed at our hardest core fans, and we are firm believers that while we are bringing a new audience to the sport, we must always remain focused on delivering products and experiences that serve the most avid F1 fans.”

“Our objective with F1 TV is simple: provide these fans with the best available service to watch live Grands Prix and provide them with the best sports OTT customer experience in the world. Our team and our partners are singularly focused on delivering on that vision: not just for launch but over the long-term. Live streaming video is an exciting space changing almost daily.”

This is one of the most exciting developments for F1 in some time and would have been inconceivable just a few years ago. We will follow the developments closely and bring you more news as we have it.